Obituary: John Arthur Smith

John Arthur Smith, 69, of Brookston, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, at St. Luke's hospital in Duluth, with his family by his side.

John was born June 20, 1952, in Duluth to Arthur Smith and LaVonne-Dottie (Couture) Smith. He graduated from AlBrook High School in 1972. The day after graduation John entered the U.S. Army, where he served in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1975.

John attended and graduated from the Bureau of Indian Affairs police academy in Brigham City, Utah in 1978.

He married the love of his life, Patricia (Melin), on Oct. 7, 1978. They raised their family in Brookston.

John worked for Fond du Lac Resource Management as an assistant director/chief conservation officer, protecting resources both on and off the reservation. He also served as interim police chief for the Fond du Lac Police Department. John served as a District III representative for the Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. He was also a prankster.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Dottie Smith; wife, Patty; and nephew, Daniel Hink.

He is survived by his son, Mathew Smith; daughters, Karen (Ben) Smith and Kerri Smith; stepdaughters, Leann (Dale) Reynolds, Tammy (Marc) Erickson and Melissa (Rick) Carlson; brother, Michael (Susan) Smith; sisters, Joan (Joe) Lisson, Rozanne (Bill) Hink, Linda (Steve) Nelson, Lois Smith, and Terri (Tom) Gradine; sisters-in-law, Marsha Lundberg, Beverly (Randy) Willeck and Barbara (Pete) Bober; brothers-in-law, Tom Melin and John Melin.

He is also survived by six grandsons, Derrick Reynolds, Donovan Smith, Cody Erickson, Devin Reynolds, Nick Erickson and Tyler Selin; two granddaughters, Rhiley Smith and Mia McKeon; and four great-grandchildren; special family member Alexis Jung; special great-grandson, Elliot Anderson; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, colleagues and friends.

John was a pillar of his family and will be dearly missed. He is now reunited with his beloved wife.

A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Arrowhead Town Hall, 9798 U.S. Highway 2, Brookston, with a visitation one hour prior. Masks and social distancing are required. A procession will be escorted from the town hall by Fond du Lac conservation and police officers. Burial will be at Culver Cemetery in the spring with military honors. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com

Pine Knot News, Jan. 7, 2022